There is little question about the killing power of rifles when in the wrong hands. Politically speaking, it’s been a hot topic for a year. Now, one might not need to be a sharpshooter to be dangerous. Smart rifles make it easy for a novice to be deadly. Is this a good idea?

As Hillman Bailey studied the flat, white target through his rifle’s magnified scope, he spotted a brown, six-legged stinkbug, about the size of a dime, crawling across the target. He leaned into the rifle, hot from the sweltering Texas sun, and said to himself, “Let’s see what happens.” The target was 98 yards away. He steadied the gun, lined the crosshairs over the insect, and pulled the trigger.